The Okanagan Valley presents a climate perfectly suitable for producing some very fine wines. The area is composed of the Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon and Osoyoos regions. While Canada may not be as known for its wine production as say France, Italy or even the Napa Valley wine region in California, awareness of the Okanagan Valley is quickly growing in the wine enthusiast’s world. The grapes the land and climate produce are among the best in the world for wine making. There are several wineries in the region that take advantage of these superb conditions. Many American tourists, and tourists from around the globe for that matter, tour the many wineries in the region on a daily basis. A visit to the Okanagan Valley will always leave tourists satisfied that they took advantage of the opportunity.

Wineries in the Okanagan Valley frequently produce Ice wine, which is produced by processing the grapes when they are frozen. Tourists in the Okanagan Valley can take advantage of the opportunity to expose themselves to this process as well as the usual wine producing methods while visiting the various wineries. Ice wine has become the Okanagan Valley’s claim to fame as it has become a trademark of the Canadian wine producing industry. Ice wine, however, is not the only variety produced to a high standard in the area.

This area produces some of the finest wines in the world and, as mentioned earlier, is quickly becoming a popular tourist destination. France and Italy hold the distinction as the most popular wine regions in the world, and the popularity caused by these countries wineries lends to the growing trend of tourism in the Okanagan Valley. There are so many wineries that it would seem nearly impossible to visit all of them in a single visit. It is advisable, though, to visit as many as possible while on a wine tasting and touring vacation. This way, tourists get an extensive exposure to a variety of wines. Not every winery produces the same variety of wine and visiting multiple wineries on a vacation allows for the observer to expose him or herself to many different wines.

Not only should one experience the wine tasting that many of these wineries offer, but everybody should take advantage of the tours offered by many establishments as well. The process by which wine is produced can be fascinating. Learning the distinctions between the ways in which the different varieties are produced can be educational still. Most wineries offer both of these services to their visitors, so be sure to look into getting the full wine experience while on adventure in the Canadian wine region. After all, if a tourist is there to learn about wine, then they should expose themselves to the many different events offered by the winery.

Often overlooked by even the most avid enthusiasts is the pairing of wine with just the right food companion. Some wineries include a restaurant on their premises where tourists can enjoy first hand the wine produced on the land. Expert chefs will prepare meals for their customers that pair exquisite cuisine with just the right choice in wine. Certain wines compliment certain tastes and an expert on the matter will often times be on hand to assist patrons in making a wise decision.

Whatever one’s reason for visiting a winery in the Okanagan Valley, they should be sure to take it all in. Learning, drinking, eating and having a good time at one of the many local Okanagan Valley wineries is now one of the most popular Canadian tourist activities in the country. Visitors will be pleasantly surprised to find no shortage of breathtakingly beautiful scenery and, of course, some of the finest wines in the world.